Talks 'Progressing' On Civic Center Site

July 30, 1986

TAVARES — Negotiations are expected to be completed within the next two months for a 600-acre site the county is considering for a civic center and recreation complex, county attorney Chris Ford said Monday.

''We're progressing nicely,'' said Ford, who was asked by the county commission last December to negotiate for the site near U.S. Highway 27 and Florida's Turnpike. He added that the agreement could be reached at any time.

Once he and the owners of the property reach terms, the purchase would go before the commission for final approval.

The land would be purchased by the county's resort tax -- a 2 percent tax on overnight tourist accommodations -- which has been imposed for the past 1 1/2 years. The resort tax for the first three years is earmarked to go toward land purchase for the project.